The Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson is an engaging sports romance that had me hooked with its premise but left me frustrated due to the heThe Art of Catching Feelings by Alicia Thompson is an engaging sports romance that had me hooked with its premise but left me frustrated due to the heavy reliance on deception.
Daphne Brink, fresh off her divorce, ends up heckling Chris Kepler, a Carolina Battery player, during a baseball game. Her taunts cause Chris to break down in tears, leading her to reach out and apologize via social media—without revealing she was the heckler.
Chris, dealing with his own personal issues, connects with Daphne online, and their relationship blossoms. However, Daphne's secret looms large over their budding romance, and her continuous avoidance of the truth became a major sticking point for me.
Chris is a fantastic character—sweet, caring, and realistically portrayed with his struggles. I adored him, but Daphne's persistent dishonesty overshadowed much of their romance. There were so many moments where the truth could have come out, and each missed opportunity made me more frustrated.
The writing is sharp, and the chemistry between the characters is undeniable. The epilogue is particularly swoon-worthy and wraps up the story nicely. However, the deception aspect tainted my enjoyment of the book.
Overall, The Art of Catching Feelings has its charms with great characters and engaging writing, but the central theme of lying was a significant downside for me. If you can look past the deception, there's a lot to enjoy here.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for the ARC in exchange for an honest review....more
4.25 stars - Annabel Monaghan let me read your grocery list challenge
"Summer Romance" is a delightful, heartwarming read that's perfect, as the name s4.25 stars - Annabel Monaghan let me read your grocery list challenge
"Summer Romance" is a delightful, heartwarming read that's perfect, as the name suggests, for summer. The story follows Ali Morris, a single mom grieving the loss of her own mom and a rough divorce. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she meets Ethan, a charming guy who brings some much-needed joy back into her life.
Monaghan is great at creating characters that feel real. Ali’s journey of self-discovery is compelling, in a way that feels natural, and her interactions with her kids and the lovable supporting cast add depth to the story. The romance between Ali and Ethan is sweet and (mostly) realistic, with just the right amount of chemistry to keep things interesting.
What sets this book apart is how it handles real-life issues with humor and heart. The cozy, close-knit community setting adds to the book's inviting atmosphere. Monaghan’s writing is engaging, and her knack for weaving in relatable experiences makes "Summer Romance" a refreshing and uplifting read.
Overall, "Summer Romance" is a feel-good book that's perfect for summer. It’s heartwarming, funny, and filled with moments that will make you laugh and cry. If you’re looking for a sweet escape with relatable characters and a charming romance, this book is a must-read.
Thanks to NetGalley and Penguin Group Putnam for the ARC!...more
I’m just not a smut girl! But I had a silly and fun time reading this, and the epilogue has me intrigued enough to continue the series, so we’ll call I’m just not a smut girl! But I had a silly and fun time reading this, and the epilogue has me intrigued enough to continue the series, so we’ll call it a win!...more
I’ve never been in love before, but I’m pretty sure it feels like this.
I absolutely adored Here We Go Again, a sapphic rom-com that explores grief, reI’ve never been in love before, but I’m pretty sure it feels like this.
I absolutely adored Here We Go Again, a sapphic rom-com that explores grief, reconciliation, and redemption. I have read another one of Cochrun's books, and liked but didn't necessarily love it, so I went into this book with an open mind, and I'm certainly glad that I did!
Here We Go Again follows Logan and Rosemary, childhood best friends turned enemies turned coworkers, who reunite when their beloved high school teacher is diagnosed with a terminal illness. When Joe - their former teacher - asks them to take him on a cross-country road trip to Maine (from Portland), the women have no choice but to grant his dying wish.
I absolutely loved this story, for so many reasons. Logan and Rosemary were complex and believable characters who drew me in, and I was rooting for each of them, both separately and to get together, already! Joe's journey is an incredibly touching one as well, which really ties the entire story together. I loved that Cochrun not only dives deep into the relationship of the characters, but also explores queer history and different meaningful aspects of the LGBTQ experience. Cochrun perfectly balances humor and heart, and this story is as sweet and funny as it is meaningful.
Thanks to NetGalley, Atria Books, and Alison Cochrun for the ARC in exchange for my honest review....more
Helen Zhang, a bestselling YA novelist, is thirteen years removed from the suicide of her sister - a tragedy that will fYou're so easy to love, Helen.
Helen Zhang, a bestselling YA novelist, is thirteen years removed from the suicide of her sister - a tragedy that will forever link her to Grant Shepard. She's succeeded at building a fortress around her heart, but when her and Grant are thrust back into each other's worlds in the writer's room for the adaptation of Helen's novels, her carefully constructed walls begin to show cracks.
Helen is truly a character study in resilience and depth. She goes on a powerful and poignant journey through grief and self-discovery. Grant is layered and compelling - exactly the way that I like my love interests. The dynamic between Helen and Grant is filled with so much tension that you can't help but root for them, despite their painful past.
This isn't just a book - it's a masterclass in blending the complex, the tragic, and the beautiful into a contemporary romance that grips you by the heart and will not let go. It's clear that Kuang has brought her screenwriting past into her literary debut - the dialogue here is sharp, the scenes she paints are vivid, and the journey each of the characters take is both sensitive and nuanced. Not to mention... this is STEAMY. No closed doors here! The ending is also incredibly satisfying and feels totally earned and true to the characters she has created.
This is a beautifully written and deeply affecting story that will stay with me for a long time - an easy 5 stars.
This book is out 4/2. Thank you to Yulin Kuang, Avon Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review....more
Thanks to Berkeley, Lynn Painter, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
This was my first Lynn Painter book and iThanks to Berkeley, Lynn Painter, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review!
This was my first Lynn Painter book and it was just a blast. This is just two hot, smart, witty people who deadass cannot keep their hands off of each other. This didn’t reinvent the wheel or anything but it was perfectly fun. The way she describes KISSES had my heart fluttering?! 3.5 to 4ish stars and now I know when you’re in a slump, Lynn Painter is the gal to help....more
Because I have a feeling everyone's been keeping a secret, a this-would-forever-change-the-romance-novel-world-if-it-got-out kind of secret -- that thBecause I have a feeling everyone's been keeping a secret, a this-would-forever-change-the-romance-novel-world-if-it-got-out kind of secret -- that the very best parts happen after the book is over.
I truly will read Rachel Lynn Solomon's grocery list - especially if that grocery list features Rowan and Neil, two very, very special characters.
This is a charming sequel that somehow manages to be even better than the first book. Following Rowan and Neil through the lens of a long-distance relationship was a very sweet way to revisit these characters. This felt like catching up with old friends, and brought back all the nostalgia of those butterflies of a first love. Rowan's adventures in Boston were great to read - it was cool to watch her go through many relatable struggles, like wondering what your career path is meant to be or if you'll ever really make friends in college. Her arc felt very, very real to me. And I am SO glad that this one was dual POV, because Neil's story is beautiful. New adulthood is HARD. Mental health struggles, dealing with trauma from an absent or abusive parent, changing your mind about things you thought were set in stone... all of that is real and so important to include in YA and New Adult stories.
I love the way that this book discusses sex, and I wish I had had a book like this to read when I was a teenager or when I first became sexually active. No matter how many romance novels you read, nothing replaces good communication with your partner, and that's so so so important for stories geared towards teenagers to illustrate.
Another thing I love about this story is the way in which it illustrates that there's more to a love story than just the meet-cute. Real love, and real relationships, are about what happen AFTER those characters are together. Rowan and Neil experience a tremendous amount of growth not just together, but individually. They are deeply comfortable with each other, and that comfort level allows them to fall even further in love. The flames of a deeper, committed relationship are simply more enduring - and here, they are just so rewarding to read about.
It's not always about those huge moments. It's the tiny details, the ones that remind you the other person is caring about you, even when you're not the best at caring for yourself.
I love the way that this sequel illustrates how being in a loving and secure relationship can inspire both partners to take risks and embrace changes with confidence, knowing that they have unwavering support. This beautiful story reassures us that when you are in the right relationship, love grows and changes as we do. I'm so grateful we were able to get to spend more time with these characters, and move beyond their Happy For Now into real, adult Happily Ever After territory.
The one constant is the two of us, simply doing our best, the way that we always have. Together.
Thank you to Rachel Lynn Solomon, Simon & Schuster, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is out 6/4!
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finally reading my "in case of emergency (don't know what to read next and nothing is hitting), break glass (read this book)"
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THANK YOU FOR THE ARC RACHEL LYNN SOLOMON!!! YOU WILL ALWAYS BE FAMOUS!!!...more
Thank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Serle, and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This book was a joy - I really, really loved the cThank you to NetGalley, Rebecca Serle, and Atria Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
This book was a joy - I really, really loved the characters and the premise. Definitely my favorite of the author's booksI also read the Author's Note at the end, and as someone who was also single and looking for my person for what felt like forever, I found all of this to be incredibly poignant and moving. However, I was certainly left with unanswered questions - I think I need to learn that Serle's MO is writing these short, powerful little books with unexplained magic that tug at your heartstrings. Answers will not be found but tears will be shed, and that's okay! 4.5 stars :)...more
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review copy in exchange for my honest review!
Okay! I don't think that I'm exaggerating whatsoeverThanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance review copy in exchange for my honest review!
Okay! I don't think that I'm exaggerating whatsoever when I say that this is, quite literally, a perfect romance novel. I love a romantic comedy! I love a slow burn! I love an "it was always you"! I love rivals to lovers! Lovable characters and people you want to root for who actually feel fleshed out. A story that feels rich and full. I laughed! I cried! Laura Hankin, you are now an autobuy author for me from now until forever. WHAT A BOOK! ...more
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